Buying Airfare

[Simba22]

Can anyone help me figure out the smart way to buy airfare? We are leaving for WDW on 10/23 (Friday) and coming home on 11/1 (Sunday).

I am signed up for the daily deals from Travelocity, Orbitz, Hotwire, and Priceline, plus I am signed up for the emails directly from Southwest, Delta, and either United or AA - I don't remember which.

I keep getting these emails that advertise $158 RT from Bradley Airport in Hartford, CT to Orlando. But when I go into the email, it never links me to that fare! Apparently, Travelocity only offers those discounts on flights for Tuesdays and Wednesdays and when I go to any of the other sites that offering "deals," it just automatically brings me to the general ticketing page and quotes me $250+ each for RT.

I always hear how people get these great deals on RT airfare, but I can't seem to figure out how they do it! Any tips/suggestions/overall help would be appreciated! I feel so unprepared because we are just over 4 months out and I don't have the airfare booked!

 

[jen42002]

I used Kayak.com. You put your specific dates in and it will email you when there are changes to the fares for that timeframe.

 

[holden]

I think that buying as early as possible sometimes gets you the best fare. For our Aug/Sept. trip, I bought our tix from Southwest the day they opened the dates. The price is now almost double what we paid (we paid $59 each way from Philly).

 

[lastminutemom]

Lately, almost all the sales I have seen are day of the week specific. Often, Friday and Sunday are not included.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday are generally the cheapest days of the week to fly.

I almost never book airfare more than a couple months out. Airlines have sales all the time.

Can you change at least one of your days to come home on Saturday? (for example leave Sat. night rather than Sunday) That might save you a ton.

Actually, I don't know how far you are from Boston, but Airtran has a ton of flights for your days around $84 each (if you change one way to Saturday, you can probably find $74)

 

[brymolmom]

I think that the vast majority of the really good deals you hear about are for those who are traveling mid-week, as that tends to provide the best rates.

What you need to do is figure out exactly what is a good or great rate from your airport...What are the 'usual' fares? Becoming familiar with that will make it easier to spot if a price comes down and makes it a good or great fare.

 

[kelleigh1]

I've also used Kayak to check prices, although I do usually end up booking through Southwest because I know I can get direct from here to Orlando or Tampa.

I tend to stay away from sites like Orbitz or Travelocity because of the fees they used to charge, and I never felt that they had the best prices. Kayak will show you the lowest available fare and then I'd just go directly to the airline website that corresponds to that fare and book it. Most of the time, I've found that the airlines own website has better prices than place like Orbitz, etc.

 

[Bren's Mom]

Bradley can be tough to find deals at. Where exactly are you located? Airtran is offering $179 pp RT nonstop from White Plains and I love to fly from there.

 

[Simba22]

Bradley can be tough to find deals at. Where exactly are you located? Airtran is offering $179 pp RT nonstop from White Plains and I love to fly from there.

I am in Naugatuck but my dad lives in Bristol. He normally drives us to and from the airport so we don't have to pay for transportation, then he keeps my car at his house for the week so we don't have to pay to keep it at the airport.

I guess if I'm saving money on those two things then I should just deal with the price of flying? I will check out kayak and see what they're offering.

Thanks everyone!

 

[jsrj21]

We are on the same boat! I live in CT as well and finding decent fares has been tough. Last year I booked with AirTran out of White Plains NY and got a great deal ($64.00/one way) - total for three = $471.00. Thing is, I booked it in March for travel in August. This year, we weren't sure if we were going or not and I believe this is why I am in a bind. We usually fly out of JFK and use JetBlue. However, JetBlue's prices are ridiculous for my dates (Aug17-26). I have been looking everywhere and doing so this morning as well. I am going to have to book something soon because the fares just keep going up.

I guess I can justify it by having free dining and about $400.00 in Disney rewards points. If I look at it that way, it doesn't bother me as much.

I really don't have any advice other than to say that I feel your pain.

Jose
Norwalk, CT

 

[Simba22]

We are on the same boat! I live in CT as well and finding decent fares has been tough. Last year I booked with AirTran out of White Plains NY and got a great deal ($64.00/one way) - total for three = $471.00. Thing is, I booked it in March for travel in August. This year, we weren't sure if we were going or not and I believe this is why I am in a bind. We usually fly out of JFK and use JetBlue. However, JetBlue's prices are ridiculous for my dates (Aug17-26). I have been looking everywhere and doing so this morning as well. I am going to have to book something soon because the fares just keep going up.

I guess I can justify it by having free dining and about $400.00 in Disney rewards points. If I look at it that way, it doesn't bother me as much.

I really don't have any advice other than to say that I feel your pain.

Jose
Norwalk, CT

Hey neighbor! If I had the ability to fly out of JFK or La Guardia, I feel like I would be able to get much better rates...but saving the money on the airfare means I have to pay for transportation and or pay to keep my car parked at the airport....and I have to actually DRIVE to and from NY which I hate.

Although...the cheapest rates right now out of Bradley at $250 per person R/T (including tax and fees). If I could book something like $64 one way...that would be $128 R/T per person...For a savings of $120 per person, maybe it might be worth it. Hmm...now you've got me thinking!

 

[jsrj21]

I have to pay for transportation and or pay to keep my car parked at the airport

...and the fees at JFK have gone to about $120.00/week. This is why I flew out of White Plains last year. They have no long-term parking but since it's only 20 minutes from my home, my sister gave us a ride to and from. After looking around, I guess I have to bite the proverbial bullet and book with someone. It bugs me a little to pay so much for JetBlue and all you get are some stupid blue chips!

I've never flown out of Bradley; how is it?

Jose

 

[mhf]

I Southwest. If the price drops, you can re-book at no charge and then "bank" the extra saved dollars for your next flight. I'm always visiting relatives so there's always a "next flight" for us.

They also let you book one-way with no problem.

So we are flying into Tampa to visit relatives a few days before driving to Orlando and then flying home from MCO.

 

[E-orLover]

My favorite site is Airfarewatchdog.com

I typed Hartford into the "see fares from your city" and saw the fare you mentioned. Hartford to Orlando for $158 RT.

several reasons way it's not available to you:

limited availability (to many seats already taken)
Available for travel on: Tue/Wed (so fare rate only good if traveling on these days both there and back)
End of travel is Oct. 28, 2009 (you said your return date is 11/1/09) so while you are good on the way out, coming home is past the allowable travel time.
This price is only good on "Southwest"

I have purchased tickets last min (day of travel) and gotten extremely lucky w/ prices (SEA to SNA $98 RT). It's catching the deals at the right time; don't give up, keep searching, it takes time and sometimes a lot of effort.